Chris Foster, an eight-year coaching veteran, is in his first season as Appalachian State University's running backs coach.

Foster comes to Appalachian from Gardner-Webb, where he served as the Bulldog's running backs coach for the past eight seasons. He coached an all-Big South performer in four of his eight seasons at Gardner-Webb, including each of the last three campaigns. Most recently, GWU's Kenny Little became the Bulldogs first 1,000-yard rusher in 11 years while earning all-conference recognition under Foster's tutelage in 2011.

In his eight seasons as an assistant coach at GWU, Foster also served as the staff's primary academic advisor and a top recruiter. Additionally, he oversaw the program's strength and conditioning activities on an interim basis in 2006.

Foster began his coaching career immediately upon his graduation from Gardner-Webb, where he was one of the program's all-time best rushers   from 2000-03. A two-time all-Big South running back, Foster ranked sixth in GWU history at the time of his graduation (and seventh currently) with 1,883 career rushing yards. He was also a two-time first-team academic all-district honoree, making him one of only two student-athletes in Gardner-Webb football history to earn the prestigious recognition multiple times.

A Chesnee, S.C. native, Foster was a South Carolina Mr. Football award finalist and the Appalachian 2A Conference Player of the Year at Chesnee H.S. in 2000. He graduated from GWU in 2004 with a bachelors degree in physical education. He and his wife, Tiffany, have a daughter, Journei.